Talk:Intelligent Mail Barcode
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USPS does not call the new barcode "Onecode", it is referred to as the "IMB" Intelligent Mail Barcode and this will become effective January 2009.
[edit] Proposed Edits to Intelligent Mail Barcode
I have been working with Pitney Bowes to improve and expand this article. We would like to propose the following edits. Please read below for edits that will be added before the content currently found on this page.
The Intelligent Mail® barcode is a 65-bar code applied to mail in the United States, which provides information and benefits to both mailers and postal officials.
The Intelligent Mail initiative was announced by the US Postal Service in 2003, became available in 2006, was expanded upon and enhanced in 2007. This barcode will be required starting in May 2009 for companies looking to earn the maximum USPS automation discounts.
The Intelligent Mail barcode replaces the POSTNETTM and PLANET® barcodes and promises to raise the level of service the USPS provides to its customers. This mandate will help the USPS improve deliverability, provide new service and increase overall efficiency.
Over the years, the Intelligent Mail barcode has also been referred to as OneCodeTM, IMB and the 4-State Barcode.
The Intelligent Mail data payload
The Intelligent Mail barcode is a height-modulated barcode that encodes up to 31-digits of mailpiece data into 65 vertical bars.
The code is made up of four distinct symbols, which is why this barcode was once referred to as the 4-State Customer Barcode. These are the tracker, ascender, descender, and full bar (TADF). In total, the new barcode will carry a data payload of 31 digits including the following elements.
Service Type Identifier. A value that corresponds to a particular mail class with a particular combination of service(s).
Mailer ID. A number assigned by the USPS that identifies the specific mailer or subscriber.
Sequence Number: An ID specific to this mailpiece that must remain unique for each 45-day period.
Delivery Point ZIP Code: The same data used to generate the POSTNET barcode today.
Benefits of a Multi-Service Barcode
Maximum Postal Savings As of May 2009, mailers looking to earn the maximum postal discounts will be required to implement the Full-Service Intelligent Mail barcode.
Visibility into the Mailstream By allowing you to track each mail piece individually, the Intelligent Mail barcode provides companies with the precise status if mail and an opportunity to add a level of certainty in several important ways:
1. Low-cost Proof of Mailing Via the USPS® Confirm® service, the Intelligent Mail barcode allows you to access Destination Confirm service for mere pennies, giving you advance notice about when your high-value mail pieces will reach their destinations.
2. Payment Tracking Origin Confirm service lets you see when an individual customer’s check (or response) is on the way back to you, enabling you to manage collections efforts smarter and avoid unnecessary cancellations.
3. More Efficient Customer Care With the right interface, you can provide mailstream visibility to your customer care representatives, giving them the time-sensitive intelligence needed to reduce talk time, determine whether or not late fees should be waived and provide more responsive customer service.
4. More Effective Marketing Being able to forecast delivery of individual mail pieces makes it easier to forecast the number and timing of incoming phone calls. This helps marketers ensure phone centers are staffed accordingly while minimizing waste. Marketers can also target precise in-home delivery dates.
Free Address Change Service The USPS is looking to reduce Undeliverable As Addressed (UAA) mail, so it’s not surprising that the new Intelligent Mail barcode makes it easy for mailers to make address corrections, as needed. In fact, on First-Class Mail®, electronic Address Change Service (ACSTM) is free when companies use the Full-Service Intelligent Mail® barcode.
Preparation Efficiency The USPS offers seamless acceptance for the induction of mailers’ prepared (presorted) mail. Whether preparing their own mail or using presort houses, mailers will benefit from reduced paperwork and greater visibility and transparency with the USPS.
External Links News, White Papers and Other IMB Resources from Pitney Bowes
RIBBS Intelligent Mail® Barcode Resource Download Site
Intelligent Mail Barcode Implementation Guide by IDAutomation.com
Window Book Intelligent Mail® Barcode Resources
Pitney Bowes Software Intelligent Mail® Barcode Solutions Resource Section
Please take a look and let me know what you think. We'd like to implement these changes by May 30. Let me know your feedback! Vlbastekzeta (talk) 19:56, 21 May 2008 (UTC) on behalf of Pitney Bowes
